The Design District

Posted By Lisa Radon on 07/30/2008

photo Greg Ford and Melissa Di Ciero via Monash University

Permapave Porous Pavers

What does my driveway have to do with the Willamette River? I’m well above what I imagine to be a likely flood zone. But my driveway and yours collect rainwater and direct it into street gutters and down the storm drains. Until Big Pipe is completed, heavy rains overload the sewer system and overflow runs into the river AND whatever those rains are washing down the streets can’t be good for the river (oil? tar? tire leavings?).

So, we’ve already disconnected our downspouts (except the Problematic One which is going to be a Major Job), and now I’m thinking about the driveway because…

At an Irvington home I recently visited, the owners have replaced their long driveway with permeable pavers, letting storm water filter into the ground rather than heading toward the river.

Coincidentally, a recent transmission from Blaine Brownell at Transmaterial permeable pavers. You have to check out the Permapave website, where there’s a little mini-video of water pouring through one of their bonded, natural-stone pavers. They come in different shades, from golden, grey, reddish, to black.